The Spaniard, who was sacked as Granada coach on Monday after six months following his third spell at the helm of the Andalucian club, becomes the fourth permanent coach to take charge in 13 months.
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Christian Gourcuff, who had been in the role since Vahid Halilhodzic stepped down following Brazil 2014, resigned in March 2016. Milovan Rajevac took control for two games before Leekens stepped in, but the Belgian called time after Algeria's group stage exit at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.

Alcaraz will take over the Desert Foxes with them languishing at the bottom of their Russia 2018 qualifying group, having picked up one point from their opening two fixtures. They are five points adrift of leaders Nigeria with four games remaining, with the Super Eagles occupying the solitary qualifying place.